Trick Daddy has been fighting a secret battle with the potentially-fatal autoimmune disease lupus for the last 12 years, the Miami rap star revealed his in a radio interview on Monday. The “Play No Games” star says the diagnosis has kept him out of the sun for years, but he is determined to stay as self-sufficient as possible.

“I went to the doctor, like, 12 years ago. She took all kinds of tests, because I was trying to get rid of what we call dry skin; she did biopsies and blood tests and swab tests. She told me I have lupus.”

“I am allergic highly to the sun, that’s my worst enemy. It’s like an AK-47 (gun) with a double clip on it,” Trick explains.

He adds, “A lot of people try to cover it up with regular make-up. It makes your skin pigmented. You can go from dark to light and not light to dark. You have to cover it up and conceal it.My mama had 11 children from 10 different men. If she can live with that, I know I can live with this.”

Trick is currently promoting his upcoming autobiography, Magic City: Trials of a Native Son.